Bridal Bed

The daughter of my sister-in-law is getting married. Last Thursday, the men of the family (her father, brother, the groom, her uncle and cousins) helped move her household effects to the new house. Last Friday, her closest female relatives were invited to set up the house and arrange everything in its place for next Thursday, when the main ceremony will take place and more guests will visit the house. Electrical appliances were ranged on the kitchen worktop and covered with embroidered doilies; three large cutlery canteens, their drawers open, were displayed on a side table; a large display cabinet contained her formal dinner service, and crystal and porcelain set. In the bedroom, the bride’s and groom’s bathrobes hung from the bathroom door and all her perfumes and cosmetics were laid out on the dresser. On the day of her send-off, the guests will come to admire the bride’s trousseau and wish her and the groom “to grow old together.” In the older times and in smaller towns and villages, just like in other parts of the world and my native island Kassos, Greece, the bridal trousseau and the groom’s gifts were displayed publicly. In Iran this is called tabaqkeshoon, where the items were carried on large trays, whereas, from what I’ve heard from my father, in Kassos the trousseau items were loaded onto donkeys and shown around the village. Yesterday’s ceremony is similar to a custom that is still observed in Kassos and the rest of Greece (I suppose) called krevati or laying the bridal bed. This is an occasion for close female relatives and friends to see and admire the bridal home. A little child, usually a boy, is also thrown on the bed to bring the couple good luck. Once again I return to the familiar theme of how similar people and cultures are.